| 释义 |
stee·ple
I. \ˈstēpəl\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English stepel, from Old English stīpel, stȳpel, stēpel tower; akin to Old English stēap steep — more at steep
1.
a. : a tall structure usually composed of a series of diminishing stories finished at the top with a small spire or cupola surmounting the lower straight-sided story of a church tower
b. : the whole of a church tower
2. : something suggesting or having the shape of a steeple
< pressed together their fingertips to form steeples — Scott Fitzgerald >
II. verb
(steepled ; steepled ; steepling \-p(ə)liŋ\ ; steeples)
intransitive verb
: to rise high in the air like a steeple
< looked at the steepling mast and loaded keel — Tom Hopkinson >
transitive verb
: to arrange in the form of a steeple or in a form suggestive of a steeple
< steepled her fingers in the childish gesture of prayer and happiness — Adria Langley >
III. noun
(-s)
Etymology: by alteration
: staple I 1 |